8 Signs You've Become a Bridezilla

Your fiancé pretends to be asleep when you get home, and your yoga teacher has suggested you come in for extra sessions: If this is you, we may already be too late. The term "bridezilla" gets thrown around a lot during the wedding-planning process—sometimes in a jokey way, and sometimes, well, not—so how do you know if you’ve crossed the line? We enlisted the help of South Florida-based wedding planner Heather Lowenthal, owner of Posh Parties, to name the symptoms of and cures for Zilla Fever.

BRIDEZILLA SIGN #1
Your mother-in-law asks you if you have time to meet for dinner, and you snap. And this isn't the first person you’ve flipped on today—your mom and siblings are all afraid of you.

Bring It Back: Keeping family dynamics stable during wedding planning is essential for peace. "Remember that you are merging two families together," says Lowenthal, "and it's important to make everyone feel included in this special day." She suggests asking both families things they'd like to see at the wedding and incorporating a few from each.

BRIDEZILLA SIGN #2
Your gravy boat selection keeps you up at night, as if your wedding's success rests on the decision between the ceramic and the stainless steel.

Bring It Back: Dear Bride, you know too much. We guarantee you that you are the only one who knows that winter white and white linen are not the same color. "I like to remind brides that your guests are going to think your wedding is the most spectacular thing ever because they are there to celebrate you and your new husband," says Lowenthal. Make a gut decision, and move on.

BRIDEZILLA SIGN #3
A glass of wine is present at every wedding meeting and appointment to keep you calm. Your therapist is on speed dial in case of emergencies.

Bring It Back: Reality check: "This wedding, while extremely important, is a blip on the map of your whole future together," says Lowenthal. So relax and try to enjoy the planning process. And "stay focused on the future and what that holds," she says.

BRIDEZILLA SIGN #4
Turns out, the reason you haven't seen your bridesmaids or parents in a while is because they have taken on second jobs to afford your wedding.

Bring It Back: First things first: Decide on your priorities, and create a budget with whoever is paying early on. Know that—unless you have the bank account of Brangelina—if you want to spend more on a great band or photographer, you’re going to have to cut back elsewhere, says Lowenthal.

In terms of your bridesmaids, you need to be considerate of their finances. Lowenthal adds that bridesmaids traditionally need to be prepared to plan your bachelorette party, book a flight and/or hotel room for the wedding, and buy the dress you choose. Shoes, accessories, hair and makeup all depend on the situation—some brides "gift" these items. If you're asking these ladies for errand upon errand and event upon event beyond the norm, take a step back.

BRIDEZILLA SIGN #5
Your coworkers and vendors have started creating out-of-office messages in order to avoid your round-the-clock e-mails and texts.

Bring It Back: "It's not a good idea to let the planning take over your life," says Lowenthal. "It's all about finding balance." Carve out time each day to work on your wedding so you don't neglect responsibilities you already have. Try, hard as it may be, to talk to people, like coworkers, about something other than your wedding.

BRIDEZILLA SIGN #6
You go registry crazy. So what if one cheeseboard is $325? If your guests don’t understand the importance of a Michael Aram cheeseboard, they just shouldn't come to the wedding.

Bring It Back: The glamour of a shiny new registry can make a bride scan-happy and price-oblivious. "Choose two to three places to register, and make sure one of the places has a wide variety of items that are priced from affordable to expensive," says Lowenthal. All your guests, no matter their financial situation, should be able to buy you a gift you can enjoy.

BRIDEZILLA SIGN #7
Carbs are your number-one enemy and the gym is your best friend. Anyone who tries to interfere will suffer.

Bring It Back: It's important to feel your best for your wedding day, but don't become someone your fiancé doesn't recognize, says Lowenthal. Scary as it may be to approach a starving bridezilla, bridesmaids should remind her "that her future hubby loves her for who she is," she adds. You want to look back one day and see yourself in the photos.

BRIDEZILLA SIGN #8
You grab takeout at your usual place, and the staff has to remind you about your fiancé’s favorite burrito. He has completely fallen off your radar.

Bring It Back: Oh, yeah: the groom. Don't forget about him. The reason you are doing this in the first place is to marry the love of your life, says Lowenthal. Plan couple time sans wedding talk, whether it's heading out for dinner or watching a movie together.

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